Standing Male Figure

Senufo, Côte d’Ivoire
19th-early 20th c

Provenance: Private French collection

This small Senufo standing figure is sculpted with striking abstraction and clarity of form. The broad, flat feet anchor the figure solidly, while the elongated torso and forward-thrusting head emphasize verticality and presence despite its intimate scale. The angular planes of the face, with its high forehead, deeply set eyes, and jutting jawline, reflect the refined geometric stylization for which Senufo carving is celebrated.

The surface reveals a dark, varied patina developed over long handling and ritual use, the subtle sheen and softened edges testifying to its age and ritual life. Figures such as this were often used in divination or as part of small personal shrines, serving as intermediaries between the human and spiritual realms.

Compact yet powerful, this piece demonstrates the Senufo artists’ ability to distill the human form into a sculptural essence—at once abstract, expressive, and deeply resonant.